Do-Right Solar SWS-200 Owner's Manual

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Owner's Manual

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Page 2 Important Safety Warnings and Cautions Warnings 1) The model SWS-200 solar water still has many glass parts, including the front pane. If the unit is dropped or struck hard, the glass can break, exposing shards that can cause serious injury. Do not allow children to play around the unit.
Page 3 Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of Do-Right Solar’s model SWS-200 solar water still! I have constructed your still with quality materials to last for many years, delivering you drinking water of exceptional purity. I have also designed it with convenience in mind, so that it will be an enjoyable experience for you to derive your regular drinking water from this device.
Page 4 Know your still Diagrams...
Page 6: How It Works
How it works The SWS-200 solar water still is of a “wick” design, meaning that it works by having the input source water slowly and continuously wet a black cloth wick. The sun shines through the front glass pane and heats up the wick, to the point where water evaporates from it and rises up to the pane where it condenses.
Page 7: Installation
Installation Placement The spot you choose to place the still should of course receive as much sun as possible. In the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, be aware that there may be more obstructions such as trees and structures. Place the still at least 2.5 feet off the ground, to allow space for the carboy and GAC post-filter below (the carboy could sit in a small hole to reduce the still height).
Page 8: Input Line
In the most typical configuration, azimuthally orient the still to permanently point South, and change the tilt angle seasonally, so that the still points at the sun at solar noon (when sun is highest in the sky). The tilt angle is adjusted with the prop sticks, each labeled with the number of degrees of tilt.
Page 9: Output Lines
With the aid of a hose-barb adapter, a length of 1/4″ drip irrigation tubing then runs from the regulator to the still. Leaving this tubing above-ground will pre-warm the water, thereby increasing the efficiency of the still. However, it may be preferable to bury this tubing, both for aesthetic reasons and for preventing leaching of harmless but odorous volatiles from the sun-warmed polyethylene tubing material.
Page 10 Your still has two output lines, one for the distilled water, and the other for the excess source water. Two lengths of silicone tubing feeding into a GAC post-filter attached to a 2-holed silicone carboy bung have been provided. Once you have your carboy situated, place the bung in the carboy, then cut and attach these two lengths of tubing to the two stainless steel pipes on either side of the still.
Page 11: Operation
Operation Starting the first time Before turning on the water for the first time, temporarily detach the two EPDM tubes from the copper exit pipes, so that you can see the rate of excess water flow out of the still. You’ll need to balance the flow rate from the two side valves.
Page 12 (it’s easiest to shake the carboy by having it rest on a soft surface and rocking it back and forth). Do-Right Solar offers an inexpensive house-blend of minerals for sale. Before placing the carboy in your water crock dispenser, clean off the outside surface well with alcohol, especially near the opening.
Page 13: Maintenance
Maintenance There are some maintenance tasks you’ll need to carry out in order to keep your SWS-200 solar water still performing optimally. Here are the tasks, ordered from most to least frequent: Cleaning the glass pane The outside surface of the glass pane of the still will accumulate dirt and bug/bird droppings over time.
Page 14 tubing still attached to the barb, using a razor blade, taking care not to damage the barb. Pull off the output hoses. Remove the tilt angle prop and close and latch the solar still. Lift the still from the table or stand and set it down vertically on the ground and allow it to fully drain.
Page 15 the entire perimeter, gently prying open the gap between the black rubber gasket and the frame of the still. Try not to dig into the gasket with the blades. As you do this, you’ll hear the suction release. Using both hands on either side, gently lift the evaporator panel off and set it aside. Be careful to not touch the glass inside the still, in order to keep it free of contamination and fingerprints.
Page 16 Re-attach the chain, and close and latch the still. Peer inside to see that the inner gasket is well-seated along the entire perimeter. (If not, then re-open and re-seat it) Carry the still back outside and set it on its table/stand. Follow the procedure for “Installation”...
Page 17: Emergency Use
Emergency Use You can operate your SWS-200 solar water still even when there is no pressurized water. This situation may arise in the event of an emergency like a major earthquake, or simply when you’re in a remote area such as a campsite or on a boat.
Page 18: One Year Limited Warranty
One Year Limited Warranty Do-Right Solar warrants this product (including any accessories) against defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. This guarantee does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, normal wear, or excessive wear due to lack of maintenance.